Antenna switching exchange

ABSTRACT

A switching matrix including an orthogonal array of m X n coaxial lines, where m equals the number of transmitters which may be simultaneously connected to the matrix and n is the number of antennas to each of which any one of the m transmitters may be connected. Each of the n rows is made up of m separated sections of a coaxial line center conductor connected electrically by first conducting contacts at each cross-point of the matrix. Each of the m columns is made up of n separated sections of a coaxial line center conductor connected electrically by second conducting contacts at each cross-point of the matrix. The first and second conducting contacts for each cross-point are a part of a common rod separated by segments of insulating material. A cross-point through connection is established by movement of the rod so as to connect the row to the column by relocation of the second conducting contact. Simultaneously the remaining length of the row and column are automatically grounded by the first conducting contact and a third conducting contact separated by insulating material from the second conducting contact to eliminate the presence of residual stubs in the matrix. A cam assembly to make and break the cross-point through connection is coupled to either all the rods of a column or all the rods of a row depending upon which has the lesser number of rods. A single motor drives the cam assembly.

United States Patent [72] inventor llelmut Schlrnann Mount Prltchard,New South Wales, Australia [2| I App]. No. 855,678 [22] Filed Sept. 5,1969 [45] Patented July l3, l97l [73] Assignee International StandardElectric Corporation New York, N.\'. [32] Priority Nov. 2], i968 [33]Australia [3|] 46609 [54] ANTENNA SWITCHING EXCHANGE 8 Claims, 7 DrawingFigs.

[52] [1.8. CI 333/7. 333/975, 335/5. 343/876, 340/166 [51] lnt.Cl lllllpl/lO, HOlg 3/24 [50] Field at Search 340/166; 333/7; 33514.5; 307/l 15;200/43, 45; 3 l7/l0l, I01 C; 343/853, 858

[56] Relerences Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3.215.954 l l/l965 Stevens333/7 FOREIGN PATENTS 702,400 l/l965 Canada 333/7 i i l I i i i i iPrimary Examiner--Herman Karl Saalbach Assistant Examiner- Paul L.Gensler ArlomeysC. Cornell Remsen, Jr. Walter J. Baum. Paul W.Hemminger, Percy P. Lantzy, Philip M. Bolton, Isidore Togut and CharlesL. Johnson. Jr

ABSTRACT: A switching matrix including an orthogonal array of mXncoaxial lines, where m equals the number of transmitters which may besimultaneously connected to the matrix and n is the number of antennasto each of which any one of the m transmitters may be connected. Each ofthe n rows is made up of m separated sections of a coaxial line centerconductor connected electrically by first conducting contacts at eachcross-point of the matrix. Each of the m columns is made up of nseparated sections of a coaxial line center conductor connectedelectrically by second conducting contacts at each cross-point of thematrix. The first and second conducting contacts for each cross-pointare a part of a common rod separated by segments of insulating material.A cross-point through connection is established by movement of the rodso as to connect the row to the column by relocation of the secondconducting contact. Simultaneously the remaining length of the row andcolumn are automatically grounded by the first conducting contact and athird conducting contact separated by insulating material from thesecond conducting contact to eliminate the presence of residual stubs inthe matrix. A cam assembly to make and break the cross-point throughconnection is coupled to either all the rods of a column or all the rodsot'a row depending upon which has the lesser number of rods. A singlemotor drives the cam assembly.

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Age!!! PATENTEnJuuamn 3593206 sum 3 BF 4 Inventor HEL NUT SCH/MANN y WowAgent PATENTEU JUL1 31971 3 593 205 saw u BF 4 I nverllor HLMUT un/MA/wvAgent ANTENNA SWITCHING EXCHANGE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Theinvention relates to the field of antenna switching exchanges and inparticular to antenna switching exchanges in which it is required toswitch one of a plurality of transmitters to a particular one ofaplurality of antennas.

In the field of radio communications there is a growing need for thefast, reliable switching of high powered transmitters to a selection ofantennas not only in commercial applications, such as in broadcast radioand television transmission, but also, and particularly, in military andspace communication facilities where complete flexibility between largenumbers of transmitters and antennas is required with minimum time forthe switching process.

Design considerations for antenna exchanges include the followingfeatures which are desirable, and in some cases essential, requirementsof the exchanges concerned.

1. A minimum number of moving parts and contact surfaces;

2. the involvement of the least possible number of cross points toachieve the desired RF power transfer;

3. low level complexity of each number of active devices used (such asdrive motors);

4. protection against the occurrence of multiple connections betweentransmitters, antennas or both;

5. the removal of RF power from the exchange circuits prior toswitching;

6. automatic indication of circuit setup in operation;

7. the remote controllability of exchange switching combinations;

8. the manual operations of exchange cross-points in case of failure ofthe remote control system or drive motors;

9. the removal of residual stubs within the operated circuits to preventRF short circuits occuring;

10. the minimum interaction or crosstalk between adjacent rows andcolumns of transmission lines within the exchange proper; and

l l. ease of replacement of components and ready adaptability for futureexpansion of the system.

Known antenna exchange constructions do not possess all these featuresand it is found that, where some of the more important features areobtained, the high degree of operational efficiency required by themodern telecommunications art cannot be met.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is toprovide an antenna switching exchange capable of providing all of theabove-mentioned features, and in some respects exceed the currentlyaccepted standards and parameters of performance.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an antennaswitching matrix for handling RF (radio frequency) power which isremotely and automatically operable and which also has provision formanual operation if required, for instance, in the case of failure ofthe automatic control system.

A feature of the present invention is the provision of an antennaswitching exchange comprising an orthogonal array of m input coaxiallines and n output coaxial lines having m Xn cross-points between theinput and output lines, where m and n are integers greater than one;each of the m input lines including an inner conductor having nseparated sections, each of the n sections being disposed betweendifferent adjacent ones of the cross-points; each of the n output linesincluding an inner conductor having m separated sections, each of the msections being disposed between difierent adjacent ones of thecross-points; m Xn longitudinally movable rods each associated with adifferent one of the cross-points; each of the rods including at least afirst and a second conducting portion separated by a first insulatingportion; each of the first conducting portions electrically connectingdifferent adjacent ones of the n sections and each of the secondconducting portions electrically connecting different adjacent ones ofthe m sectionswhen the rod is moved to prevent a through connection forits associated one of the cross-points; each of the second conductingportions disconnecting different adjacent ones of the m sections, eachof the first conducting portions disconnecting a different adjacent onesof the n sections and each of the second conducting portions connectingone of the adjacent ones of the m sections to one of the adjacent onesof the n sections when the rod is moved to establish a throughconnection for the associated one of the cross-points; and anarrangement coupled to each of the rods for longitudinal movementthereof.

In essence the invention comprises an m by rt orthogonal array or matrixof coaxial transmission lines, where m is the number of transmitterswhich may be simultaneously introduced to the exchange and n is thenumber of antennas to each of which any one of the m transmitters may beconnected. If m n, then at one end of each of the n rows of lines isdrive means to control the switching arrangement and enable RF powerfrom the input of that row to be fed via an appropriate cross-point ofthe array or matrix to a preselected antenna through its associatedcolumn of the m transmission lines. If, however, m n, then the drivemeans will be associated with each of the m columns of the matrix.

Each of the n rows is made up of m sections of coaxial transmission linelinked one to the other by conducting contacts at each cross-point. Eachof the m columns of the matrix is made up of n sections of coaxialtransmission line, each section also linked to its adjacent section byconducting contacts at the cross-point. The conducting contacts for boththe columns and rows of lines are provided by a rod passing through eachof the two linked sections. The two connections, namely the rowconnections and the column connections are conducting portions of acommon rod, and are separated by a portion of insulating material.Through connection between a row and a column is established bylongitudinal movement of the rod to connect the power input side of thecolumn to the antenna output side of the row. At the same time, both theremaining sections of the row and column are grounded to eliminate thepresence of residual stubs from the exchange. Establishment of therequired through connection is brought about by means of solenoidactivation of rod control means working in association with speciallydesigned cams, the movement of which is effected by the aforementioneddrive means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The above-mentioned and other featuresand objects of this invention will become more apparent by reference tothe following description taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. I is a perspective view of a matrix cross-point in an unoperated ornontransfer position;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the matrix cross-point of FIG. 1 in theoperated or transfer position;

FIGS. 3A to 30 as plan views of the operating sequence of a controlarrangement to automatically move cross-point rods to obtain a transferof the power of any one transmitter from one antenna to another antenna;and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the cams used and shown in associationwith the control arrangement of FIG. 3.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Where possible throughout allthe drawings the same reference numerals have been used to identify thesame components.

with reference to FIG. I, a portion of a single row and column of thematrix of transmission lines aligned in an orthogonal array is shown inits unoperated or nontransfer position. The transmission lines are inthe form of coaxial-type conductors of which the outer conductor of eachis shown as the rectangular housing I. The particular geometry of theinner conductors comprising sections 2 of transmission line illustratedwas chosen to obtain a good switching arrangement and yet retain theconstant impedance required for the line. Each of these sections 2 innerconductors is linked one to the other along each row and column byconducting contacts of portion 3 and 4 which are rigidly secured to or apart of rod 5. The conducting portions 3 and 4 and 12, which togetherwith the insulating portions 14 and 14' comprise rod 5 are formed in asegmented fashion to provide adequate spring contact pressure at each ofthe four coaxial-type line inner conductor sections 2 as shown atcontact points 6, 7, 8 and 9.

With the matrix arranged as illustrated in FIG. I, each transmissionline is electrically continuous via the conducting portions of rod 5throughout its entire length, that is from the transmitter input end(input line) [0 ofeach column to the antenna output end (output line] llof each row.

Reference is now made to FIG. 2 in which the matrix crosspointillustrated is in the operated or interconnected condition. In order toestablish continuity between input 10 and output 1] rod 5 has been movedlongitudinally in a forward direction (i.e., to the right in thedrawing), This movement has broken the pairs of contacts 8 and 9, 6 and7, thus isolating the remainder ofthe column line from input [0 and theremainder of the output row from output ll. Upon completion of travel ofactuator rod 13 coupled to rod 5, conducting portion 4 only has contactwith an inner conductor section 2 at point 9 and insulating portion 14'now separates points 8 and 9. Conducting portion 3 connects points 7 and8, and the third conducting portion [2 now engages point 6, points 6 and7 being separated by insulating portion 14. RF power will now betransferred from input l0 through contacts 7 and 8 via conductingportion 3 to output II.

In order to avoid stub effects within the operated row column pair, (forexample, the possibility of quarter wavelength attenuation occurring atthe RF frequency employed) the now electrically isolated and unusedtransmission line sections 2 are grounded. The balance of the antenna orrow line is grounded via contact point 9 through conducting portion 4 tothe schematically illustrated grounding point l5 which is engaged whenpushrod [3 is fully depressed. ln a similar manner the remainder of thetransmitter or column line is grounded via contact point 6, conductingportion l2 and grounding point 16. It can be seen that point 15 makes nocontact at all in FIG. I and that point 16 is in contact with insulatingportion 14 of FIG. I.

As mentioned earlier in this specification, any crosspoint may beoperated remotely in order to choose any transmitterantenna combinationand this may be achieved by a preferred method, hereinafter described,which uses only one motor per column or row (whichever has the leastnumber of lines) of the matrix. Prior art exchanges have required onemotor per matrix cross-point. For example, a ID by ID exchange wouldneed [00 motors in order to operate each cross-point, whereas in thisinvention only 10 motors are required, thus greatly simplifying theexchange complexities with resultant economy in manufacture.

Through connection at a required cross-point is achieved by means of acam assembly which is located between rods 5 and 13 as identified by thecircle Bin FIGS. land 2. FIG. 3A to 3D show four stages in the operationof the cam assembly in performing through connection ofa cross-pointwhile at the same time disconnecting an operating crosspoint in the samecolumn. FIG. 3A is the initial and steady state condition while FlG. 3Dis the same condition after completion of the switching operation. Twodistinct phases should be kept in mind, namely, the connection of onecross-point and the prior disconnection of another.

Referring now to FIGS. 3A to 3D, one drive-cam mechanism is depictedoperating on only two possible crosspoints of the matrix for the sake ofsimplicity, however, the reader is reminded that the cam assembly may beextended to accommodate any number of crosspoints, typically up to 20.Of the two cross-points shown, the upper one is initially connected,since as described above, the upper pushrod I3 is fully inserted whilethe lower pushrod 20 is correspondingly in the nonselected state. Thepushrod 13 is provided with a pair of rollers 2], which are axiallyconnected through slot 22 and held in the position shown by spring means(not shown) within pushrod 13. This slot is more clearly shown inpushrod 20 at 23. it limits the travel of the rollers relative to thepushrods.

With the through connection made as shown in FIG. 3A, a selection switchon a remote control panel is set for a desired new through connection.No action takes place, however, until the Operate Button is pressed(only momentarily) when motor 17 is activated and rotates inanticlockwise fashion. Since the cam assembly [8 is constrained tovertical motion (in the drawing) only, it is drawn upwards by motorconnecting rod i9. It should be noted that the cam assembly in itsstationary state is at the nodal position oftravei. As the cam assembly[8 and, hence, cam 24 moves upwards, rollers 2] follow the outer (orleft-hand) side of the cam face 25 and after a half revolution of motor17 have moved to the position 26 (see FIG. 3B). in this position pushrod13 has been withdrawn and, therefore. disconnects the electrical throughconnection of that matrix cross-point. At the same time, cam 27 hasmoved into position under rollers 28 of pushrod 20 as shown in H0. 38.

At this stage solenoid 29, associated with the preselected cross-point,is energized and forces core 30 to the right as shown in FIG. 313. Core30 is connected through the hollowed center of pushrod 20 to the axle ofrollers 28. Movement of core 30 thus carries roller 28 through camkeyway 31 to be relocated inside the opposite face of cam 27. Thismovement is against the action of the return spring on the rollers. Themovement of cams 24 and 27 and their associated rollers is permitted byprovision of suitable keyways in the cams, as is now more fullyexplained by referring to FIG. 4.

FIG. 4 is a perspective drawing of the individual cam used in theswitching arrangement under remote control. The cams have a ramp orslanted portion 35 with a slot 36 in it connecting two keyways 32 and34. Rollers 28, which were in contact with the inner cam face may passthrough keyway 32 when alignment is reached under the action ofthereturn spring and move along the outsurfaces 33 of the ramp 35 as cam 27moves upwards. Upon reaching keyway 34, rollers 28 may pass through itprovided their associated solenoid is energized to overcome the effectof the internal spring. Movement of the cam in the reverse directionresults in rollers 28 engaging the under surface of area 33 on ramp 35.Rollers 28 then proceed to keyway 32 and, assuming the solenoid is nolonger energized, pass through keyway 32 under the influence of thereturn spring to return rollers 28 to their original position.

The description of the changing of through connection will now becontinued. The situation shown in H6. 3B has been reached.

As motor 17 continues to rotate, cam assembly 18 starts to move downwardcausing rollers 28 to follow the inner face of cam 27 and, therefore,urge pushrod 20 longitudinally in to the right. This then operates theconnections as described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. This action isillustrated in FIG. 3C which shows motor 17 having made 270' rotationfrom its position in FIG. 3A. During this stage in FIG. 3C, solenoid 29is deenergized by, for example, the operation of special switch-camaction provided on the drive motor pulley, though any known means may beemployed. During this operation, rollers 2i leave surface 25 of cam 24and no longer act on pushrod l3, but leave it in the unoperated state.

Upon completion of the full cycle as shown in FIG. 3D, rollers 28 becomealigned with keyway 32 and, under the action of the return spring, passthrough it to be located on its front surface as were rollers 21 in FIG.3A. Simultaneously, motor 17, being governed by limit switches, stops.The exchange sequence is now finished with the lower cross-point fullyengaged and the upper cross-point fully disengaged.

It will be appreciated that during the switching process the RF powershould be removed from the transmitter being switched in order toprevent dangers associated with sudden removal of the load from thetransmitter output and to avoid arcing occurring in the matrix switchpoints. A convenient way of doing this is to remove the high voltagesupply from the output stage of the transmitter. This can be effectedautomatically when a switching operation is to be performed if pressurecontacts switches or relays are located at each matrix crosspoint in aposition where they are acted on by the end of the cross-pointconnecting rod when the rod (rod 5 in FIG. 2) is fully in. The end ofconducting portions 4 engages the pressure relay to close the RF powersupply circuit. As soon as the rod is moved outwards and before it hastravelled far enough for a contact to be made or broken elsewhere, thepressure is released from the switch or relay, which acts to disconnectthe high voltage power supply. Thus, the RF power is removed from theinput prior to establishment of the transfer process and is restored tothe exchange only after completion of the switching operation.

In the event of failure of the remote control system. manual operationof any cross-point must be obtainable by use of, say, handle 37 on theend of pushrod 13. It should be clear that manual operation may becarried out, the only criterion being correct positioning of the rollerkeyways to allow free movement of the pushrod. This is achieved bycranking the motor shaft to bring the keyway into alignment. Thecross-point will be operable in either of the positions shown in FIGS.3A or FIG. 3D, but preferably in the position shown in FIG. 3A.

The foregoing has been a description of an antenna switching exchangeassociated with a transmitter system wherein m transmitters are coupledto m input lines and n antennas are coupled to in output lines. However,it should be noted that the antenna switching exchange is equallysuitable for association with a receiver system wherein m antennas arecoupled to the in input lines and n receivers are coupled to the noutput lines. Thus, while I have described above the principles of myinvention in connection with specific apparatus, it is to be clearlyunderstood that this description is made only by way of example.

Iclaim:

I. An antenna switching exchange comprising:

an orthogonal array of m input coaxial lines and n output coaxial lineshaving m Xn cross-points between said input and output lines, where mand n are integers greater than one;

each of said m input lines including an inner conductor having nseparated sections, each of said n sections being disposed betweendifierent adjacent ones of said crosspoints; each of said u output linesincluding an inner conductor having m separated sections, each of said msections being disposed between different adjacent ones of saidcross-points; m Xn longitudinally movable rods each associated with adifferent one of said cross-points; each of said rods including at leasta first and a second conducting portion separated by a first insulatingportion;

each of said first conducting portions electrically connecting differentadjacent ones of said it sections and each of said second conductingportions electrically connecting different adjacent ones of said msections when said rod is moved to prevent a through connection for itsassociated one ofsaid cross-points;

each of said second conducting portions disconnecting different adjacentones of said m sections, each of said first conducting portionsdisconnecting a different adjacent ones of said n sections and each ofsaid second conducting portions connecting one of said adjacent ones ofsaid m sections to one of said adjacent ones of said it sections whensaid rod is moved to establish a through connection for said associatedone of said cross-points;

an arrangement coupled to each of said rods for longitudinal movementthereof;

a first grounded contact; and

a second grounded contact; and wherein each of said rods furtherincludes a third conducting portion separated from said first conductingportion by a second insulating portion;

movement of each of said rods to establish a through connection for saidassociated one of said cross-point establishes an electrical connectionbetween said second conducting portion and said first grounded contactand an electrical connection between said third conducting portion andsaid second grounded contact to ground the unused ones of said m and nsections.

2. An antenna switching exchange comprising:

an orthogonal array of m input coaxial lines and n output coaxial lineshaving m Xn cross-points between said input and output lines, where mand n integers greater than one;

each of said m input lines including an inner conductor having nseparated sections, each of said n sections being disposed betweendifferent adjacent ones of said crosspoints;

each of said in output lines including an inner conductor having mseparated sections, each of said m sections being disposed betweendifferent adjacent ones of said cross-points;

m n longitudinally movable rods each associated with a difierent one ofsaid cross-points;

each of said rods including at least a first and a second conductingportion separated by a first insulating portion;

each of said first conducting portions electrically connecting differentadjacent ones of said n sections and each of said second conductingportions electrically connecting different adjacent ones of said msections when said rod is moved to prevent a through connection for itsassociated one of said crosspoints;

each of said second conducting portions disconnecting different adjacentones of said m sections, each of said first conducting portionsdisconnecting a different adjacent ones of said n sections and each ofsaid second conducting portions connecting one of said adjacent ones ofsaid m sections to one of said adjacent ones of said n sections whensaid rod is moved to establish a through connection for said associatedone of said cross-points;

an arrangement coupled to each of said rods for longitudinal movementthereof;

said arrangement including m Xn handles each coupled to an end ofadifferent one of said rods to enable manual movement of said rods; afirst grounded contact; and a second grounded contact; and wherein eachof said rods further includes a third conducting portion separated fromsaid first conducting portion by a second insulating portion;

movement of each of said rods to establish a through connection for saidassociated one of said cross-point establishes an electrical connectionbetween said second conducting portion and said first grounded contactand an electrical connection between said third conducting portion andsaid second grounded contact to ground the unused ones of said m and nsections.

3. An antenna switching exchange comprising:

an orthogonal array of m input coaxial lines and 0: output coaxial lineshaving m Xn cross-points between said input and output lines, where mand n are integers greater than one;

each of said m input lines including an inner conductor having nseparated sections, each of said n sections being disposed betweendifferent adjacent ones of said crosspoints;

each of said n output lines including an inner conductor having mseparated sections, each of said m sections being disposed betweendifferent adjacent ones of said cross-points;

m Xn longitudinally movable rods each associated with a different one ofsaid cross-points;

each of said rods including at least a first and a second conductingportion separated by a first insulating portion;

each of said first conducting portions electrically connecting differentadjacent ones of said It sections and each of said second conductingportions electrically connecting different adjacent ones ofsaid msections when said rod is moved to prevent a through connection for itsassociated one ofsaid cross-points;

each of said second conducting portions disconnecting different adjacentones of said m sections, each of said first conducting portionsdisconnecting a different adjacent ones of said n sections and each ofsaid second portions connecting one of said adjacent ones ofsaid msections to one of said adjacent ones of said n sections when said rodis moved to establish a through connection for said associated one ofsaid cross-points; and

an arrangement coupled to each of said rods for longitu dinal movementthereof;

said arrangement including a pair of rollers longitudinally movableconnected to each ofsaid rods,

a cam for each of said rods engaging said roller having a first segmentslanted with respect to the longitudinal axis of the associated one ofsaid rods including a longitudinal slot therein and second and thirdsegments one at each end of said slanted segment perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis of the associated one of said rods, each of saidsecond and third segments having a slot therein transverse of thelongitudinal axis of the associated one of said rods permitting saidrollers to pass therethrough,

a solenoid associated with each of said pair of rollers to cooperate inthe passage of said rollers through said transverse slot of one of saidsecond and third segments to ena his the associated one of said rods tobe moved to provide a through connection for the associated one of saidcrosspoints, and

first means to move each of said cams perpendicular to the longitudinalaxis of said rods to longitudinally move said rods in both directions.

4. An exchange according to claim 3, further including a first groundedcontact; and

a second grounded contact; and

wherein each of said rods further includes a third conducting portionseparated from said first conducting portion by a second insulatingpoition;

movement of each of said rods to establish a through connection for saidassociated one of said cross-point establishes an electrical connectionbetween said second conducting portion and said first grounded contactand an electrical connection between said third conducting portion andsaid second grounded contact to ground the unused ones of said m and nsections. 5. An exchange according to claim 3, wherein said first meansincludes m second means each supporting n of said cams associated with nof said rods associated with a different one of said m input lines, anda drive means coupled to each ofsaid second means. 6. An exchangeaccording to claim 5, further including a first grounded contact; and asecond grounded contact; and

wherein each of said rods further includes a third conducting portionseparated from said first conducting portion by a second insulatingportion;

movement of each of said rods to establish a through con nection forsaid associated one of said cross-point establishes an electricalconnection between said second conducting portion and said firstgrounded contact and an electrical connection between said thirdconducting portion and said second grounded contact to ground the unusedones of said m and n sections.

7. An exchange according to claim 3, wherein said first means includes nsecond means each supporting m of said cams associated with m of saidrods associated with a different one of said n output lines, and

a drive means coupled to each of said second means.

8. An exchange according to claim 7, further including a first groundedcontact; and a second grounded contact; and

wherein

1. An antenna switching exchange comprising: an orthogonal array of minput coaxial lines and n output coaxial lines having m X n cross-pointsbetween said input and output lines, where m and n are integers greaterthan one; each of said m input lines including an inner conductor havingn separated sections, each of said n sections being disposed betweendifferent adjacent ones of said cross-points; each of said n outputlines including an inner conductor having m separated sections, each ofsaid m sections being disposed between different adjacent ones of saidcross-points; m X n longitudinally movable rods each associated with adifferent one of said cross-points; each of said rods including at leasta first and a second conducting portion separated by a first insulatingportion; each of said first conducting portions electrically connectingdifferent adjacent ones of said n sections and each of said secondconducting portions electrically connecting different adjacent ones ofsaid m sections when said rod is moved to prevent a through connectionfor its associated one of said cross-points; each of said secondconducting portions disconnecting different adjacent ones of said msections, each of said first conducting portions disconnecting adifferent adjacent ones of said n sections and each of said secondconducting portions connecting one of said adjacent ones of said msections to one of said adjacent ones of said n sections when said rodis moved to establish a through connection for said associated one ofsaid cross-points; an arrangement coupled to each of said rods forlongitudinal movement thereof; a first grounded contact; and a secondgrounded contact; and wherein each of said rods further includes a thirdconducting portion separated from said first conducting portion by asecond insulating portion; movement of each of said rods to establish athrough connection for said associated one of said cross-pointestablishes an electrical connection between said second conductingportion and said first grounded contact and an electrical connectionbetween said third conducting portion and said second grounded contactto ground the unused ones of said m and n sections.
 2. An antennaswitching exchange comprising: an orthogonal array of m input coaxiallines and n output coaxial lines having m X n cross-points between saidinput and output lines, where m and n integers greater than one; each ofsaid m input lines including an inner conductor having n separatedsections, each of said n sections being disposed between differentadjacent ones of said cross-points; each of said n output linesincluding an inner conductor having m separated seCtions, each of said msections being disposed between different adjacent ones of saidcross-points; m X n longitudinally movable rods each associated with adifferent one of said cross-points; each of said rods including at leasta first and a second conducting portion separated by a first insulatingportion; each of said first conducting portions electrically connectingdifferent adjacent ones of said n sections and each of said secondconducting portions electrically connecting different adjacent ones ofsaid m sections when said rod is moved to prevent a through connectionfor its associated one of said cross-points; each of said secondconducting portions disconnecting different adjacent ones of said msections, each of said first conducting portions disconnecting adifferent adjacent ones of said n sections and each of said secondconducting portions connecting one of said adjacent ones of said msections to one of said adjacent ones of said n sections when said rodis moved to establish a through connection for said associated one ofsaid cross-points; an arrangement coupled to each of said rods forlongitudinal movement thereof; said arrangement including m X n handleseach coupled to an end of a different one of said rods to enable manualmovement of said rods; a first grounded contact; and a second groundedcontact; and wherein each of said rods further includes a thirdconducting portion separated from said first conducting portion by asecond insulating portion; movement of each of said rods to establish athrough connection for said associated one of said cross-pointestablishes an electrical connection between said second conductingportion and said first grounded contact and an electrical connectionbetween said third conducting portion and said second grounded contactto ground the unused ones of said m and n sections.
 3. An antennaswitching exchange comprising: an orthogonal array of m input coaxiallines and n output coaxial lines having m X n cross-points between saidinput and output lines, where m and n are integers greater than one;each of said m input lines including an inner conductor having nseparated sections, each of said n sections being disposed betweendifferent adjacent ones of said cross-points; each of said n outputlines including an inner conductor having m separated sections, each ofsaid m sections being disposed between different adjacent ones of saidcross-points; m X n longitudinally movable rods each associated with adifferent one of said cross-points; each of said rods including at leasta first and a second conducting portion separated by a first insulatingportion; each of said first conducting portions electrically connectingdifferent adjacent ones of said n sections and each of said secondconducting portions electrically connecting different adjacent ones ofsaid m sections when said rod is moved to prevent a through connectionfor its associated one of said cross-points; each of said secondconducting portions disconnecting different adjacent ones of said msections, each of said first conducting portions disconnecting adifferent adjacent ones of said n sections and each of said secondportions connecting one of said adjacent ones of said m sections to oneof said adjacent ones of said n sections when said rod is moved toestablish a through connection for said associated one of saidcross-points; and an arrangement coupled to each of said rods forlongitudinal movement thereof; said arrangement including a pair ofrollers longitudinally movable connected to each of said rods, a cam foreach of said rods engaging said roller having a first segment slantedwith respect to the longitudinal axis of the associated One of said rodsincluding a longitudinal slot therein and second and third segments oneat each end of said slanted segment perpendicular to the longitudinalaxis of the associated one of said rods, each of said second and thirdsegments having a slot therein transverse of the longitudinal axis ofthe associated one of said rods permitting said rollers to passtherethrough, a solenoid associated with each of said pair of rollers tocooperate in the passage of said rollers through said transverse slot ofone of said second and third segments to enable the associated one ofsaid rods to be moved to provide a through connection for the associatedone of said cross-points, and first means to move each of said camsperpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said rods to longitudinallymove said rods in both directions.
 4. An exchange according to claim 3,further including a first grounded contact; and a second groundedcontact; and wherein each of said rods further includes a thirdconducting portion separated from said first conducting portion by asecond insulating portion; movement of each of said rods to establish athrough connection for said associated one of said cross-pointestablishes an electrical connection between said second conductingportion and said first grounded contact and an electrical connectionbetween said third conducting portion and said second grounded contactto ground the unused ones of said m and n sections.
 5. An exchangeaccording to claim 3, wherein said first means includes m second meanseach supporting n of said cams associated with n of said rods associatedwith a different one of said m input lines, and a drive means coupled toeach of said second means.
 6. An exchange according to claim 5, furtherincluding a first grounded contact; and a second grounded contact; andwherein each of said rods further includes a third conducting portionseparated from said first conducting portion by a second insulatingportion; movement of each of said rods to establish a through connectionfor said associated one of said cross-point establishes an electricalconnection between said second conducting portion and said firstgrounded contact and an electrical connection between said thirdconducting portion and said second grounded contact to ground the unusedones of said m and n sections.
 7. An exchange according to claim 3,wherein said first means includes n second means each supporting m ofsaid cams associated with m of said rods associated with a different oneof said n output lines, and a drive means coupled to each of said secondmeans.
 8. An exchange according to claim 7, further including a firstgrounded contact; and a second grounded contact; and wherein each ofsaid rods further includes a third conducting portion separated fromsaid first conducting portion by a second insulating portion; movementof each of said rods to establish a through connection for saidassociated one of said cross-point establishes an electrical connectionbetween said second conducting portion and said first grounded contactand an electrical connection between said third conducting portion andsaid second grounded contact to ground the unused ones of said m and nsections.